Tools of Japan

[RoundedNut]

Yesterday I received a parcel delivered via Japan Post. The purchase (Vessel TD-BS1, set of JIS 6.35mm/1/4" insert bits) was made on eBay, on 2021-02-12. The seller lives in Osaka. The price was $7.16 with free shipping.

I got that bit set from amazon japan with a free ratcheting screwdriver Driver was more solidly built than expected and easy to use.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B001VB32NE/

amazon japan is good for bulk orders where you can spread the upfront shipping cost across multiple items, and then it becomes a good deal.

 

[mr.lemons]

The katakana for Vessel is ベッセル, which is pronounced "besseru".

Thank you.

 

[Reed Prince]

Needed a short trap wrench, so I bought this TOP TMWS-1668 from Amazon Japan. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the other TOP tools I've purchased, and this one seems quite nice too.

Bought some other, inexpensive things to spread out the shipping cost. Didn't have any Vessel 610 series, so I decided to give their small ones a try. Hard to tell which size is which, at least compared to my go-to PB Swiss ones. I might put a small band of colored heat shrink tubing on a couple of them.

Got the Anex offset screwdrivers because I think they will be helpful for removal of stubborn connectors.

 

[macgee]

Very Nice Reed,

Cool wrench. How would you compare the quality to a Lobster adjustable?

I have to agree with you on the 610's, on mine it was very difficult to tell the difference between the #0 and #00, to the point that I used a caliper to measure the flanges and they're almost identical measurements. On the TD's, it very apparent between the two sizes.
My 610 #1 size is pretty obvious compared to the #0, I like both of those sizes. Color heat shrink is a good idea. I have a set of PB Swiss precision's where the #0 is bigger than that the #1 by quite a bit. How do you you like the 610's and their handles when comparing to others?

I don't believe there is any current/active standard for 00 or 000 in Japan or DIN/ISO? ISO 8764-1 only goes down to #0 so I think companies are fairly free to do whatever they like with 00-0000

 

[kanai]

Top Kogyo seems to be focused more on industrial than other segments. For instance, some of their ratchets have holes in the handle for safety lines (so that they can't be dropped from a height.) They seem to be a very traditional manufacturer.

There's a Japanese tool youtuber I watch who likes one of the small Top ratchets, the one with the round head. He likes it because it doesn't need a spinner and because it can be extended via an extension. He also modified the spring to make the backdrag lighter.

 

[Brando_Damo]

Found this big honkin’ 450mm vintage Aigo. It didn’t have the original pin so I had to make one and then captured the pin behind a grub screw. Works fine.

View media item 110569
Then earlier this week I found a smaller 250mm Aigo that I had to get to keep the big one company!

View media item 110568

 

[Reed Prince]

Very Nice Reed,

Cool wrench. How would you compare the quality to a Lobster adjustable?

I don't have a Lobster trap wrench to compare it to. I did briefly compare the two brands in this earlier post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8743442&postcount=5695

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Some KTC Torx sockets.
As you can see they are 2 piece with the Torx bit being retained by set screw.

 

[Brando_Damo]

Got a little haul of Asahi combination, double box end, and flare nut wrenches. I put up a video of my first impressions for anyone interested. Have a good weekend!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1beR6FLUSE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-Brando

 

[macgee]

Just a heads up. I received this today and a bit bummed.

I really like Shinwa Japan measuring tools, I've been really impressed with the quality of them for the price. I decided to purchase a Shinwa angle scriber square for wood working and to set my table saw blade to 45 degree miter cuts and set to 90 degree.

The tool was made in China and it showed, I checked it on my granite surface plate against my reference squares and it's not accurate and measuring off by several degrees. Hoping this is a knock off and that Shinawa has not moved production to china.

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Surely it must be a knock off?
Even if a company moves it's production to China there is no reason their QC department would allow a square to be "several degrees off".
Email the company directly with photos.

 

[macgee]

I don't have a Lobster trap wrench to compare it to. I did briefly compare the two brands in this earlier post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8743442&postcount=5695

Thanks Reed,

Good post you made that you linked.

 

[joey1320]

Got a little haul of Asahi combination, double box end, and flare nut wrenches. I put up a video of my first impressions for anyone interested. Have a good weekend!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1beR6FLUSE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-Brando

Those ASAHI wrenches look phenomenal.

 

[joey1320]

These TOP socket holders look awesome. I'm really considering picking up a few sets just because.

https://www.toptools.co.jp/english/products/portable-socket-holder/

 

[Qualitytools]

Got a little haul of Asahi combination, double box end, and flare nut wrenches. I put up a video of my first impressions for anyone interested. Have a good weekend!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F1beR6FLUSE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-Brando

I am interested in the flarenut wrenches, would you please share where you purchased them? Thanks

 

[Reed Prince]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p2EpdRN2h6A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[48548]

Not sure way some extra://show up.... but nice tools....

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[h~moto]

Got another locking plier today that was made in Japan. I am not familiar with the name Powermaster. I'm also wondering if this is the shape that the handle and handle release came or if it became bent at some point in its life

 

[Vicks]

Just a heads up. I received this today and a bit bummed.

I really like Shinwa Japan measuring tools, I've been really impressed with the quality of them for the price. I decided to purchase a Shinwa angle scriber square for wood working and to set my table saw blade to 45 degree miter cuts and set to 90 degree.

The tool was made in China and it showed, I checked it on my granite surface plate against my reference squares and it's not accurate and measuring off by several degrees. Hoping this is a knock off and that Shinawa has not moved production to china.

Same here, i bought the Shinwa protractor and was disappointed to see that it was made in China although i haven't tested the accuracy of it yet since i have no other higher accuracy reference. Maybe i should hold it against aluminium extrusions used in office cabins/door frames - those should be accurate enough ?

Same happened with a Trusco pin punch, bought it and then noticed the Taiwan COO on packaging.

There should be a mandatory requirement to mention product COO on Amazon JP by sellers !

 

[BigBoreFan]

****

 

[Brando_Damo]

I am interested in the flarenut wrenches, would you please share where you purchased them? Thanks

I got those from Amazon Japan, although they were kind of haphazardly scattered across the site it seemed. Some of the listings show 3 together but are a single part number, so be careful. The part numbers are FW followed by the size of each end, for example an 8mm & 10mm ended wrench is FW0810. The organization of listings on there is pretty bad at times.

 

[TjoFrasse]

My latest order of Japanese tools arrived:

Unfortunately another disappointment with an Engineer product. It works and so, but the joint quality is really low. I will try to post some pictures later. I will avoid all Engineer products not made in Japan from now...

Everything else was good! If you think the item composition is strange it's because I collect stubby screwdrivers

 

[Trucky]

Tjo, Unless I am missing something, the handles say JAPAN on them, are they made elsewhere?

 

[TjoFrasse]

Tjo, Unless I am missing something, the handles say JAPAN on them, are they made elsewhere?

You are right, but I think the omission of "Made in" is the key here. The screw extracting pair (neji-saurus) I have says "Made in Japan". That coupled with the fact that the two pliers I have that just say "Japan" have both had QC issues makes me wary of them...

 

[Qualitytools]

I got those from Amazon Japan, although they were kind of haphazardly scattered across the site it seemed. Some of the listings show 3 together but are a single part number, so be careful. The part numbers are FW followed by the size of each end, for example an 8mm & 10mm ended wrench is FW0810. The organization of listings on there is pretty bad at times.

Thanks

 

[RoundedNut]

...
Unfortunately another disappointment with an Engineer product. It works and so, but the joint quality is really low. I will try to post some pictures later. I will avoid all Engineer products not made in Japan from now...

Good to know. I think it varies by brand as the Vietnamese made pliers I have from wiha and Fujiya are pretty good, but then again, both of them have their own plants there. On the other hand, I think Engineer outsources their tools, be it Japanese or not.

Btw, nice stubbies. I have the Vessel ratcheting stubby and I really like it.

 

[Brando_Damo]

My latest order of Japanese tools arrived:

Unfortunately another disappointment with an Engineer product. It works and so, but the joint quality is really low. I will try to post some pictures later. I will avoid all Engineer products not made in Japan from now...

Everything else was good! If you think the item composition is strange it's because I collect stubby screwdrivers

What do you think about the Igarashi IPS pliers? I’ve wanted to try them out, but just haven’t yet.

 

[Reed Prince]

What do you think about the Igarashi IPS pliers? I’ve wanted to try them out, but just haven’t yet.

Here's a quick shot of the pair I own. Not the highest quality workmanship.

 

[macgee]

Nice haul TjoFrasse,

Let us know what you think of the Vessel stubby ratchet?

I like mine and modified if by adding knurling to the shaft for grip, my hands are big for the handle and when wanting to hand turn the bit with my fingers, I find the knurling useful and added a hex bit screw lock. I also knurled the TD-6800

Sorry to hear about the Engineer pliers, I was almost ordering a set till I heard your feedback. I guess I'll look for others. The Nepros stubby looks very nice.

 

[TjoFrasse]

Good to know. I think it varies by brand as the Vietnamese made pliers I have from wiha and Fujiya are pretty good, but then again, both of them have their own plants there. On the other hand, I think Engineer outsources their tools, be it Japanese or not.

Btw, nice stubbies. I have the Vessel ratcheting stubby and I really like it.

Yes, I think it has been mentioned previously in this thread that Engineer just makes designs and doesn't manufacture anything.

What do you think about the Igarashi IPS pliers? I’ve wanted to try them out, but just haven’t yet.

As a long reach needle nose they're ok. But I think the slip-joint is unnecessary, just makes it more wobbly and doesn't add much.

Here's a quick shot of the pair I own. Not the highest quality workmanship.

I don't have that problem on mine, but there is some joint slop. A fixed joint would probably be better than the slip joint.

Nice haul TjoFrasse,

Let us know what you think of the Vessel stubby ratchet?

I like mine and modified if by adding knurling to the shaft for grip, my hands are big for the handle and when wanting to hand turn the bit with my fingers, I find the knurling useful and added a hex bit screw lock. I also knurled the TD-6800

Sorry to hear about the Engineer pliers, I was almost ordering a set till I heard your feedback. I guess I'll look for others. The Nepros stubby looks very nice.

Cool with the added knurling! So far I like the stubby. A pleasant surprise that it said "Made in Japan" while the bigger one (same as you have) says "Made in Thailand".

I don't know if there is any options for the E-ring pliers? Engineer is the only one I have found them from.

And so that everyone can make their own decisions, here is what I'm talking about.

Very large gaps compared to what I expect. Since it's not a tool you use much force on it will probably never be an issue, but I'm still not happy with it.

It also feels like they overcomplicated it by making it a box joint... A box joint is hard to make and a lap joint would be enough for this kind of tool.

 

[macgee]

Bummer TjoFrasse, Sorry you received that one as that one looks terrible. Looks like they used an angle grinder by hand to make that slot.

Not sure what you can about that but I would be bummed. Having said that, I do like the others tools you bought. Cheers

 

[BTJHP]

I guess I got lucky, my long IPS pliers jaw lines up great and there is very little play in the pivot. There is some flex in the steel though.

 

[Ralf11]

it looks "hand-crafted" - and not in a good way

 

[jimmyin3D]

What do you think about the Igarashi IPS pliers? I’ve wanted to try them out, but just haven’t yet.

I had both the straight and bent nose IPS hyper pliers but I didn’t like them. I really wanted to, it being such a unique design with the slip joint/long nose/combination style.

The only thing going for it was maybe how light it was but I saw it as a negative. If it’s for light work they would probably work but anything heavy duty I would avoid them.

 

[mr.lemons]

Someone asked on another thread about how long Nepros have been making their current 90 tooth ratchets. KTC history states that Nepros was launched in 1995. Does anyone know if the 90 tooth ratchets were available in 95 or are there some 'vintage' Nepros ratchets? Don't think I've seen any older/discontinued Nepros tools.

 

[Dave455]

Someone asked on another thread about how long Nepros have been making their current 90 tooth ratchets. KTC history states that Nepros was launched in 1995. Does anyone know if the 90 tooth ratchets were available in 95 or are there some 'vintage' Nepros ratchets? Don't think I've seen any older/discontinued Nepros tools.

No, the 90 tooth have only been available for the last few years.

The original ratchet was 36 tooth or suchlike.

Up until a few months ago they still had both listed on their website, but now it’s only the 90 tooth.

My original (36 tooth?) ratchet is shown below.

 

[mr.lemons]

Ah thanks, they look very similar to the 90 tooth, so I may have seen them without realising they were and older model.

'New Professional Satisfaction'

 

[Reed Prince]

I don't know much about files, but these "sideways" ones are supposedly special.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-PqqcoMmymA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[jaceq]

Are writing products of our forum interest? IMHO Japan is a homeland of best producers.
I have received OHTO mechanical pencil yesterday. It is not the top model, quite nice though.
Below the comparison to Rotring 300, also not premium model, but very good.
Rotring is made in Japan (that was mentioned on the sticker, which I removed). I wonder if OHTO is also made in Japan, printing "Japan" is not a firm declaration.
Rotring 500 is plastic (looks polycarbonate to me) while OHTO SP-505P is aluminium.

 

[measuredtwice]

I still use the Rotring pencil that I bought in the 1980s.